#KiwiUFC: UFC Fight Night Auckland Prep #3
Today's the day, quite possibly the day that combat sports in Aotearoa completely flips on its head and the #KiwiUFC wave from 2019 is immediately sparked into action for 2020. Here you'll find some nifty bits of information to accompany you this afternoon, starting with the logistics of actually watching UFC Fight Night Auckland.
The prelims card will start at 11am on ESPN and Kai Kara France is right in the middle of the prelims section. That means that France could be fighting any time after 11:30ish as there are three fights before France takes on Tyson Nam and an easy way of sussing this will be to pay attention to the fight between Loma Lookboonmee and Angela Hill that is scheduled ahead of France's fight.
Thailand's Lookboonmee has been at City Kickboxing via her connection with Tiger Muay Thai and is in her second UFC fight. If you're a bit more casual or you're rolling between the Blackcaps cricket, maybe some Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury stuff and aren't sitting there glued to the UFC action, pay attention to the Lookbonmee vs Hill fight as it could be funky and will signal that France is up next.
The main card starts at 1pm, with five fights scheduled and three of them are of the #KiwiUFC vintage. Brad Riddell fights Magomed Mustafaev, followed by Ben Sosoli vs Marcos Rogeiro de Lima and that will make the first hour of the main card mandatory viewing before two more fights go down and the Dan Hooker vs Paul Felder. As a very rough estimation, these are the tune in times for those kiwi sport fans trying to suss out this smorgasbord of sport on a Sunday...
11:30am - 12:30pm
Keep flicking in to check on the Lookboonmee vs Hill fight, guiding you to France vs Nam.
1pm - 2pm
Mandatory viewing for Riddell and Sosoli.
3pm - 4pm
Mandatory viewing for Hooker, stay on Jim Crute watch as he's in the penultimate fight of the night to lead you into Hooker.
Here are some basic notes to set the scene for each #KiwiUFC fight...
Kai Kara France vs Tyson Nam
Flyweight division.
France is an Auckland local, training with City Kickboxing.
Coming off a decision loss, all of France's UFC fights have gone to a decision; three wins, one loss.
Unlikely to attempt takedowns, will strike with variety and expect plenty of kicks.
Was out-struck in his recent loss to Brandon Moreno. That plus hometown factor may see France eager to pile them on.
Brad Riddell vs Magomed Mustafaev
Lightweight division.
Riddell is from Christchurch, training with City Kickboxing.
Of Riddell's six wins prior to joining the UFC, five came via KO/TKO with one decision.
Went to war in his last outing vs Jamie Mullarkey, perhaps pushing Riddell to keep this towards a clean domination. If not, Riddell is capable of going to war again.
Minimal takedown threat from Mustafaev. Riddell only conceded 3/15 takedown attempts in win over Mullarkey.
Riddell averages 6.07 strikes/min, Mustafaev averages 3.11.
Ben Sosoli vs Marcos Rogeiro de Lima
Heavyweight division.
Sosoli is from Auckland, training with Resislience Training Centre in Melbourne.
Four KO/TKO wins in a row before linking up with Dana White's Contender series, then two 'no contests'.
First proper UFC fight was a late call up vs Greg Hardy, in which Sosoli was out-classed (no contest though). -Sosoli may need to deal with takedowns, unlikely to attempt takedowns.
To win, Sosoli will need to be far more precise with his strikes than his 31 percent striking accuracy and showcase growth in looking for a big shot, while maintaining composure.
Dan Hooker vs Paul Felder
Lightweight division.
Hooker is from Auckland, training with City Kickboxing.
In seven fights since 2017, Hooker has won four with finishes, won one via decision then that brutal loss to Edson Barboza.
Hooker has all the tools to finish fights with highlight reel striking finishes, impressive submissions and the pin-point CKB striking to build damage.
Five inch reach advantage, along with Felder enjoying being up close in the clinch could see Hooker pick shots from the outside, assess his opponent and move in carefully to land bigger shots.
Leg kicks were crucial in Hooker's last win over Al Iaquinta with Hooker landed 23/26 kicks and Iaquinta landing 9/12. Felder will be aware and I'll be very interested in how Hooker uses his kicks.
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Peace and love 27.